Collapsible underwater viewing device

ABSTRACT

A collapsible and portable underwater-viewing device comprising confronting upper and lower tubular end sections having relatively thin flexible walls and inflatable to form relatively rigid rings, struts interconnecting the end sections to maintain the latter in spaced relationship to each other when in the inflated condition, a continuous flexible web of waterimpermeable material secured to the end sections thus forming a protected viewing region when one end of the device is submerged below the surface of a body of water, and a transparent panel of flexible and foldable material secured to an overlaying the submergible end section, thus forming a viewing cylinder through which the user, after immersing the one end below the aforementioned water surface, may observe therethrough regions below such surface from the vantage point of the upper end section, the end sections being deflatable so that the latter, the web secured thereto, the interconnecting struts, and the transparent panel may be collapsed and folded to form a compact and conveniently portable device.

United States Patent nu 3,619,042

[72] Inventor Slniord H. Luar Primary Examiner- David Schonberg Fifth Ave.. San Fnncisco. Cal". 94118 Assistant Examiner-Toby H. Kusmer [2]] Appl. No. 42.194 Attorney-Warren, Rubin. Brucker & Chickering [22] Filed June 1. I970 Patented Nov. 9, l97l ABSTRACT: A collapsible and portable underwater-viewing device comprising confronting upper and lower tubular end sections having relatively thin flexible walls and inflatable to form relatively rigid rings, struts interconnecting the end sections to maintain the latter in spaced relationship to each other when in the inflated condition. a continuous flexible web [54] COLLAPSIBLE UNDERWATER vmwmc DEVICE of water-impermeable material secured to the end sections 4 ClaimsS Drawing Fist thus forming a protected viewing region when one end of the device is submerged below the surface ofa body of water. and

[52] U.S.Cl 350/319 a transparent pan f fl ibl and f ld bl maemfl Secured {51] Int. Cl G02!) 5/00. to an oveflaying he submersible end Sectiom thus forming a V Gozb 7/0o'GO2b 27/00 viewing cylinder through which the user after immersing the Field of Search 3S0/3l9 one end be|ow he aforememioned water surface. may

serve therethrou h re ions below such surface from the [56] cued V vantage point of tie upger end section, the end sections being UNITED STATES PATENTS deflatable so that the latter. the web secured thereto, the inter- 2.343,473 3/l944 Pierson 350/3 l9 connecting struts. and the transparent panel may be collapsed 2,717,399 9/l955 Buckhouse... 350/3l9X and folded to form a compact and conveniently portable 2.795,l 6/1957 Vernier 350/3l9 device.

PATENTEDNHY 9 ml 3,619,042

I N VENTOR. SANFORD LAZAR ATTORNEYS COLLAPSIBLB UNDERWATER VIEWING DEVICE This invention relates to so-called underwater-viewing devices, and more particularly to such a device whose major operative components are of a relatively thin-walled tubular construction which may be inflated to a relatively rigid usable shape as a viewing device and thereafter deflated so as to be collapsed and folded to form a compact and conveniently portable parcel.

it is generally well known among fisherman and those interested in observing the environment and life forms which exits below the surface of a body of water that such observation may be substantially enhanced by a device ofttimes referred to as an underwater-viewing device. Normally such underwater devices comprise two basic components: a generally cylindrical or conical shell open at one end and a transparent viewing glass mounted at the other end. The user merely submerges the. viewing glass end of. the device below the surface of the bodyof water whose submerged environment he wishes to inspect and then peers thereat from the vantage point of the open end of the viewer. By providing a Turning now to the drawing, FIG. 1 is a general side elevation showing my invention as it may be actually applied in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of my invention showing in greater detail the various components thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

ill-1G. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along'line 4-4 in rid. a; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of my invention shown in collapsed and folded condition so as to fonn a compact and portable parcel.

As may be seen by a study of FIG. 1, the underwater viewing device of my invention comprises cylindrical assembly 12 which is open at one end 14 and closed off at the other end 16 by means of a transparent viewing shield or panel 18. In actual operation, after unfolding the device from its compact carrying condition and inflating in a manner to be described in greater detail hereinbelow, a user 20 merely immerses the end-carrying viewing shield 16 below the surface of a body of water such as that indicated at 22, and. then peers therethrough at the open end to envision the field generally indicated by imaginary cone 24. By placing transparent panel 18 into intimate contact with the water below whose surface 22 one wishes to observe, and by preventing the intervention of water in the space-defining the viewer's field of vision above the water by meansofweb 26 fabricated of a water-impermeaviewer may see below the water surface with far greater clarity and penetration than would otherwise be the case, all for reasons well known to those of ordinary skill in the physical arts but not pertinent per se to the invention herein nor appropriate therefor forextended discussion in this specification.

In recent years, with the advent of great time and interest in recreation, outdoor sports, and ecology, generally, the need for a convenient-muse portable, underwater-viewing device for sportsmen, students, and environmentalists has become more apparent. However, the prior art device for such purposes with which I am familiar are generally impracticable and too costly. For example, the elaborate assemblage shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,795,165 to G. E. Vernier, patented July I l, i957, reveals a heavy rigid device apparently typical of viewers sometimes employed by commercialflsherman, but altogether too heavy and cumbersome for use by sportsmen or others who may desire to utilize the viewer at one situs, pack up, and move to another place of interest where the viewer may be required. Moreover, the heavy, cumbersome construction disclosed by Vernier is generally unsuitable for highly mobile users such as back packers, skin divers, and the like who require the utmost in lightweight and portable equipment.

Still other older devices with which i am familiar have attempted to overcome some of the aforementioned disadvantages weight, bulk, cost but even these devices do not appear to have been directed to'the type of structure disclosed and claimed in the present invention. For example, the U.S. Pat. No. 2,343,473, to H. H. Pierson, patented March. 7, i944, attempts to provide a collapsible viewer body, but other key elements of the device remain rigid and hence the unit as a whole remains awkward for packing and carrying, and even the collapsible components thereof do not appear suitable in the operative condition for convenient and effective belowsurface water viewing.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a collapsible and portable underwater-viewing device of relatively lightweight that can be reduced to a small, lightweight parcel when not in use, and hence conveniently transported from place to place'and then quickly and easily placed in operative condition for use.

It is a feature and an advantage of my invention that the components for the device embraced thereby are of relatively low cost and therefore result in a product which may be economically marketed.

' Further objects, features, and advantages of my invention should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following specification thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

bis material such. as rubber, rubberized cloth, plasticized cloth, polyvinyl chloride plastic sheet, or the like, the viewer may see below the water surface with, far greater clarity and penetration than would otherwise be possible. Moreover, to further enhance the effectiveness of my device, I prefer to use a relatively opaque web material. My invention is shown, in somewhat greater detail at FIG. 2, wherein one mayv particularlyacquire'an understanding of a principle feature thereof, namely that of achieving collapsibility and portability in an underwater-viewing device which, when not in use, may be reduced to form a relatively compact and portable parcel as depicted in FIG. 5. This beneficial and highly practicable result is attained in accordance with the present invention by employment generally of deflatable and foldable components, including transparent viewing shield 18, and by so designing and organizing such components that a highly usable and sufficiently rigid device is available for actual use as an underwater viewer yet, when deflated and folded, results in a very compact and lightweight parcel. More I specifically, this is achieved by upper end section 28 and a lower such section or ring 30, both fabricated of a suitable flexible and inflatable tube stock, such as a polyvinyl chloride plastic, rubber, rubberized cloth or the like, the chief requirement being that the material be inflatable, flexible, and relatively lightweight.

in the version of my invention shown in FIG. 2, upper and lower end sections 28 and 30 are maintained in spaced rela tionship to each other by struts 320-324, each fabricated of a hollow inflatable tube stock similar to that of the end sections. The length of the struts, which detennines the spacing between viewing lens 18 and the open end or viewing aperture 14, is selected to provide a convenient viewing posture for the user as indicated at FIG. 1; but such structure should be rigid enough, when inflated to maintain the overall shape and integrity of the cylindrical assembly 12 while partially immersed in water.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, the ends of each of the hol- I low struts may be secured to end sections 28, 30 by a suitable water-resistant sealant, such as an epoxy or other such known expedient; while a common opening 34 is provided, see for example upper end of strut 32C at the junction of the strut end and the ring section to which it is connected, such construction being typical and repeated at each end of the several the example shown under end section or ring 28. It should also be understood, however, that each of the end sections and struts may be separately inflatable, in which case each would be provided with its own valve assembly.

As mentioned above, water is prevented from intervening.

between the viewer's eyes and transparent lens panel 18 by the presence of a waier-impermeable web 26 which forms a continuous water barrier circumjacent to the region bounded by upper and lower ring sections 28,30 when the device is inflated and operative with the ring sections supported in desired spaced relationship by struts 32a-32d. In accordance with the present invention, web 26 may be fabricated of a suitable water-impermeable material such as, but not necessarily limited to, rubber, rubberized cloth, plasticized cloth, or polyvinyl chloride plastic sheet material, wherein such material is highly flexible, foldable, and of relatively lightweight. Thus, when the apparatus is deflated and folded to form a compact and portable parcel, such webbing may also be reduced to form an integral part of the compact parcel. This highly desirable arrangement which further contributes to the feature of compactness of my invention is attained by employing struts 32a-32d to provide the necessary overall rigidity of the device and maintenance of end sections 28, 30 in spaced relationship to each other, rather than by relying upon the wall of the viewer, in this case web 26, for such rigidity and structural definition.

Further details of the foregoing-described construction may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Web 26 is sealably secured by means of any suitable water resistant glue or epoxy to the inside surface of ring 30, and similarly to upper ring 28. To more fully prevent flexible web 26 from being deflected inwardly by the force of surrounding water when immersed therein, and thus more or less obstructing the viewer's line of vision through the device when in use, the web is also sealably secured to struts 32a-32d along the inside surface of each of the struts, although it is understood that such securement is optional since even without this additional detail the invention is desirably operative.

With reference again to FIG. 4, 1 direct attention to the detail of transparent viewing shield 18. Here again I have selected for the fabrication thereof a relatively flexible and foldable material such as thin stock plexiglass, cellophane, or any other clear, transparent plastic material which is foldable yet sufficiently flexible so that such panel, which is shaped to overlay the opening defined by lower end ring 30, when folded will not crack. While it is also desirable to minimize permanent wrinkling of the viewing shield, l have found that the features of my invention of compactness, portability, and lightweight depend at least in part upon my being able to use a flexible transparent lens. The most flexible of such lens materials and hence ultimately, a component of the most compact versionsof my invention, may tend to crease or crinkle when folded, particularly if so handled repeatedly. However, I have found, surprisingly enough, that such minor wrinkling of the lens surface has little effect on the viewing efficacy of my invention. Moreover, where this may tend to cause some viewing problems, i have found that placing a small amount of water, so as to cover the inside surface of the viewing lens,

tends to completely eliminate such minor distortion from wrinkling as may occur in such cases and also prevents fogging of the viewing lens.

While in the foregoing description I have relied upon a particular version of my invention as shown on the accompanying drawing, certain variations thereon are of considerable importance.

For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 of the drawing, l have disclosed the use of inflatable struts 32a-32d in fluid communication with upper and lower rings 28,30. Alternatively, I have obtained desirable results using relatively permanent strut structures fabricated of wood, plastic, or other suitable material in place of the inflatable ones described earlier. Such rigid struts are provided with contoured ends designed to conformably engage upper and lower rings 28,30,

once inflated, and support the latter in spaced relationship while stretching web 26 to operative position. In such case of course lower ring 30 must also be provided with an inflating valve; and web 26, if to be secured to the struts at all. must be so accommodated by tie strings or the like at intervals therealong. However, such attachment is not altogether necessary as indicated elsewhere hereinabove in this specification.

With this version of my invention. while compactness is to some degree sacrificed, the overall parcel is still quite efficient and easily carried from place to place; and certain advantages are obtained. For example, the struts are more rigid than the inflated tubes and less susceptible to puncturing and the like. And the overall cost of such units are somewhat less than those of the all inflatable version of my invention.

Other variations of my invention are also possible. A

further example, consideration is directed to the number and placement of struts 32a-32d. Such members may be reduced in number from four, as shown, to three; and even a two-strut version is possible, although in such case the tendency of web 26 to sag inwardly as a result of water pressure thereon may cause this version to be impracticable where deep immersion of the unit is common.

While I have described my invention in some detail hereinabove. and while its complete'operation and use is believed to be disclosed, it should be clear that the device, when not in use, may be collapsed and reduced to the compact form exemplified by FIG. 5. Then, when the unit is desired for underwater viewing, the compact parcel embodying r'ny invention may be unfolded, inflated by means of the conventional valveprovided therefor, and immediately utilized as described hereinabove.

After use in underwater viewing, the inflating air may be released, the device folded to further expel the air, and then folded to its original compact and lightweight form, ready for convenient packing to another situs for use, or for storage.

The foregoing specification is intended as a comprehensive but not limiting description of at least certain versions of my invention which may be practiced in still further embodiments and utilizing materials I have not enumerated, such variations, it is believed, being obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the foregoing specification.

lclaim: I

l. A collapsible and portable underwater-viewing device comprising in combination:

an upper I end section and a lower end section each fabricated of a flexible and inflatable tube shaped to form a relatively rigid ring when inflated and a collapsible and foldable member when deflated; strut means interconnecting said upper and lower end sections to maintain said end sections in spaced relationship when the latter are inflated;

web means fabricated of a relatively thin, foldable, and water-impervious material 'having opposite end edges secured to each of said end sections, said web means forming a continuous water barrier circumjacent the region bounded by said upper and lower end sections when said sections are inflated and supported in spaced reladefined by said lower end section when the tube forming said section is inflated; and

mounting means to sealably secure said panel to said lower ring so that the user of said viewing device in its inflated condition may immerse said panel into a body of water and observe therethrough regions below the surface of the water from the vantage point of said upper ring, said device thereafier being deflatable and collapsible to form a relatively compact and portable parcel.

2. The viewing device in accordance with claim I and wherein further said strut means comprise a plurality of inflatable tubes. one end of each of said tubes being secured to the tube-forming said upper end section and the other end means; and

valve means mounted on at least one of said tubes for inflating and deflating said end sections and said strut means.

4. The viewing device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said end section and the tubes comprising said strut means are fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and polyvinyl chloride plastic.

. i i i i 

1. A collapsible and portable underwater-viewing device comprising in combination: an upper end section and a lower end section each fabricated of a flexible and inflatable tube shaped to form a relatively rigid ring when inflated and a collapsible and foldable member when deflated; strut means interconnecting said upper and lower end sections to maintain said end sections in spaced relationship when the latter are inflated; web means fabricated of a relatively thin, foldable, and waterimpervious material having opposite end edges secured to each of said end sections, said web means forming a continuous water barrier circumjacent the region bounded by said upper and lower end sections when said sections are inflated and supported in spaced relationship to each other by said strut means; a transparent panel fabricated of a relatively flexible and foldable material and shaped to overlay the opening defined by said lower end section when the tube forming said section is inflated; and mounting means to sealably secure said panel to said lower ring so that the user of said viewing device in its inflated condition may immerse said panel into a body of water and observe therethrough regions below the surface of the water from the vantage point of said upper ring, said device thereafter being deflatable and collapsible to form a relatively compact and portable parcel.
 2. The viewing device in accordance with claim 1 and wherein further said strut means comprise a plurality of inflatable tubes, one end of each of said tubes being secured to the tube-forming said upper end section and the other end secured to the tube-forming said lower end section, said plurality of inflatable tubes in inflated condition-forming relatively still strut members, and in deflated condition being collapsible and foldable to form a relatively compact and portable parcel.
 3. The viewing device in accordance with claim 2 including means to provide fluid communication from each of said end section tubes to the inflatable tubes comprising said strut means; and valve means mounted on at least one of said tubes for inflating and deflating said end sections and said strut means.
 4. The viewing device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said end section and the tubes comprising said strut means are fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber and polyvinyl chloride plastic. 